The event, scheduled to be held at Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja on April 16, is the 8th edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum centred on the theme, “Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Backbone: Dig Once Policy, Project BRIDGE and Strategies for Effective Fibre Deployment.”

The gathering comes at a time when the Federal Government is pushing its $2 billion Project BRIDGE to stretch Nigeria’s fibre coverage from about 35,000 kilometres to 125,000 kilometres by 2030.

Many in the sector say this target cannot be met without fixing how infrastructure projects are handled. Hence, the discussion, which is focused on the Dig-Once approach, means laying fibre ducts at the same time roads, rail lines and other public works are built or repaired.

Stakeholders say this simple step could reduce costs and reduce repeated digging.

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission shows operators recorded more than 50,000 fibre cuts in 2024, with over 60% happening during road construction and repairs. Each incident caused service disruption and forced companies to spend heavily on fixes.

In Lagos alone, operators said they spent more than N5 billion last year repairing damaged fibre lines. That money, they argue, could have gone into expanding networks instead.

Again, companies still deal with high Right of Way charges. Road works often happen without coordination. In many cases, roads are dug up repeatedly to lay cables that could have been installed earlier.

Organisers say the forum will bring all sides together. Government agencies, telecom operators, infrastructure firms and state authorities are expected to agree on a common framework and practical steps for rollout.

Omobayo Azeez of Business Metrics Limited believes the stakes are high. He said Nigeria is not fully benefiting from the several undersea cables already connected to its shores because inland fibre remains weak.

“The Project BRIDGE initiative should excite everyone because of ambitious targets. But for those who understand the operating terrain, and why it took the industry over 20 years to achieve around 35,000km of fibre network that the country currently operates for broadband connectivity.

“The project calls for a major shift in execution approach with the adoption of a National Dig-Once Policy as the starting point.

“PIAFo, now in its 8th edition, is again serving as the viable platform for representatives from government ministries and agencies, senior telecom executives, infrastructure companies, data centre operators, equipment manufacturers, state governments, and industry associations to chart the way forward.”

The forum will include keynote speeches, panel sessions and closed-door talks, and with a goal to agree on regulations that can be applied across federal, state and local levels, and set timelines that can be followed.

PIAFo 8.0 is a chance to fix long-standing problems that have slowed Nigeria’s broadband growth for years.

Her session, titled “The Future of Influence: How Digital Culture Shapes Trust, Adoption, and Growth,” is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. 

She will explore how AI is transforming storytelling, influencing culture, and enabling companies to build authentic relationships that drive business growth.

At the core of Mracajac’s address is CyBrixTeam.ai, the world’s first AI Agentic Integrated Marketing Environment (IME), a platform developed in partnership with NVIDIA and powered by marketeam.ai. 

Exclusively available in Nigeria through Northbrix, CyBrixTeam.ai integrates strategy, content creation, performance tracking, social engagement, influencer management, and analytics into a single intelligent system.

The platform’s goal is to help brands work faster and smarter using predictive intelligence and autonomous agents. It brings together every function of modern marketing into one AI-driven environment, allowing businesses to run campaigns, analyse data, and make decisions in real time. With this, marketing becomes operational and strategic, a true engine for growth.

Mracajac’s career reveals a long-standing focus on driving digital innovation. With almost two decades of global experience across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, she has helped in the evolution of digital finance. 

As the founding CEO of 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), she led inclusive technology designed to expand financial access across Nigeria.

Through Northbrix and CyBrixTeam.ai, she now focuses on enabling African organisations to simplify marketing complexity and build stronger, data-driven strategies.

“I’m delighted to be joining Nigeria Fintech Week 2025, a space where the future of Africa’s digital technology is being shaped,” said Branka. “For us at Northbrix, AI is more than technology — it’s a catalyst for transformation. With CyBrixTeam.ai, we’re showing how AI can reshape marketing from a cost centre into a true engine of growth, strategy, and innovation.”

With Branka Mracajac participating at Nigeria Fintech Week 2025, she stresses a goal to align African enterprise with the next phase of digital transformation. Her message will focus on how AI can bridge the gap between technology and culture — and help African brands lead with creativity, intelligence, and purpose.